Did you know that Win Kids hosts a free monthly storytime? Our story time event has started becoming a beloved gathering for families in the community, offering a warm and welcoming event families look forward to every month. Every storytime we welcome families to come experience magical storytelling and a playful invitation to play in our open gym after.

At the beginning of story time there is a lively welcome as we sing our welcome song and fun preschool tunes to engage children in the fun! We even include musical instruments and fluffy friends to enjoy the fun. Following the songs, we transition into reading interactive stories that all the family can enjoy including holiday themed stories and classic fairy tale twists. After reading together, children enjoy a lively playtime in our open gym where they can explore our facility and socialize with new friends! 

The best part of storytime is bringing together a community of families at Win Kids, all united in support of fostering the growth and development of children. There are many benefits for children attending story time including enriching literacy, creativity, and social skills. Our story time curates an hour of these skills in a fun interactive way!

One parent remarked, “It’s so nice to see the same families month after month. It’s like our little community within a community.” These connections are what make Storytime more than just a reading session—it’s a space for building relationships that last.

As Story Time continues to grow, we're excited to continue to host future story time events. We invite you to join us at the next story time! 

Free Story Time Event - No need to register!

What: Interactive story time, open gym, and take home craft

When: Every second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 am (2024-2025 School Year)

Where: Win Kids Sports & Learning

3000 Waketon Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75028

For more information:

Call: 972.355.9988
Email: info@winkids.net

For a fifth year and just in time for the holidays, the Center Table Fall Harvest Thanksgiving food distribution event will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center (1800 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas, TX 75216). Additionally, meal boxes will be delivered to older adults living in the neighborhood as well as a nearby high school and recreation center. In total, the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center team will deliver approximately 1,300 food boxes and turkeys, providing meals for more than 5,000 people.

HEB is the lead sponsor. Center Table Fall Harvest is also presented by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, The Heroes Foundation, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and NFM, in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank.

Free and open to the public, the drive-through event is geared toward people who reside in the surrounding neighborhoods of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center including Oak Cliff and southern Dallas County. Pre-registration is NOT required.Food boxes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Food insecurity is still an issue, especially with inflation continuing, childcare costs rising and student loan payments resuming – it’s a tough time,” said Trina Terrell Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. “The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center and our partners hope that this gesture helps as families and friends come together for Thanksgiving.”

The Thanksgiving meals, serving 4-6 people, will include a whole turkey or two whole chickens, three sides, two cans of cranberry sauce, dessert and a one-gallon drink or case of water along with containers to warm the food in the microwave or oven. This year, the boxes will also include snacks and three additional meals.

“With children being home from school during the holiday break, we’re especially grateful to HEB for generously supplementing our event with extra food items this year,” added Scott Tomlin, director of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation who recruited HEB to join the Center Table initiative.

Members from Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety will volunteer to distribute the meals. Entertainment will be provided by The Guitar Slayer, Infinite Arts Movement and Ollimpaxqui Ballet Co. In addition, artists from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture will be on hand.

In addition, as part of Center Table Fall Harvest, specially catered meals will be delivered to a pre-selected group of older adults in the Center’s surrounding neighborhoods prior to Thanksgiving week. Additional meal boxes and turkeys will be distributed through a special distribution at Dallas ISD’s Roosevelt High School and Kiest Park Recreation Center.

Center Table launched in May 2020 to address the difficult times many families have faced since the onset of the pandemic. Since then, Center Table events have provided more than 32,000 meals and 2 million pounds of food to families and households.

For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org, call 214-379-7451 or email heroesactivities@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE MARK CUBAN HEROES BASKETBALL CENTER.The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is a multi-purpose facility for neighborhood youth and families providing sports and leadership programs. The Center expanded its services to address the critical needs arising during the pandemic related to food insecurity, including the distribution of afterschool snacks, meals and food boxes to neighborhood families.

For a fifth year and just in time for the holidays, the Center Table Fall Harvest Thanksgiving food distribution event will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center (1800 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas, TX 75216). Additionally, meal boxes will be delivered to older adults living in the neighborhood as well as a nearby high school and recreation center. In total, the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center team will deliver approximately 1,300 food boxes and turkeys, providing meals for more than 5,000 people.

HEB is the lead sponsor. Center Table Fall Harvest is also presented by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, The Heroes Foundation, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and NFM, in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank.

Free and open to the public, the drive-through event is geared toward people who reside in the surrounding neighborhoods of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center including Oak Cliff and southern Dallas County. Pre-registration is NOT required.Food boxes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Food insecurity is still an issue, especially with inflation continuing, childcare costs rising and student loan payments resuming – it’s a tough time,” said Trina Terrell Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. “The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center and our partners hope that this gesture helps as families and friends come together for Thanksgiving.”

The Thanksgiving meals, serving 4-6 people, will include a whole turkey or two whole chickens, three sides, two cans of cranberry sauce, dessert and a one-gallon drink or case of water along with containers to warm the food in the microwave or oven. This year, the boxes will also include snacks and three additional meals.

“With children being home from school during the holiday break, we’re especially grateful to HEB for generously supplementing our event with extra food items this year,” added Scott Tomlin, director of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation who recruited HEB to join the Center Table initiative.

Members from Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety will volunteer to distribute the meals. Entertainment will be provided by The Guitar Slayer, Infinite Arts Movement and Ollimpaxqui Ballet Co. In addition, artists from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture will be on hand.

In addition, as part of Center Table Fall Harvest, specially catered meals will be delivered to a pre-selected group of older adults in the Center’s surrounding neighborhoods prior to Thanksgiving week. Additional meal boxes and turkeys will be distributed through a special distribution at Dallas ISD’s Roosevelt High School and Kiest Park Recreation Center.

Center Table launched in May 2020 to address the difficult times many families have faced since the onset of the pandemic. Since then, Center Table events have provided more than 32,000 meals and 2 million pounds of food to families and households.

For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org, call 214-379-7451 or email heroesactivities@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE MARK CUBAN HEROES BASKETBALL CENTER.The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is a multi-purpose facility for neighborhood youth and families providing sports and leadership programs. The Center expanded its services to address the critical needs arising during the pandemic related to food insecurity, including the distribution of afterschool snacks, meals and food boxes to neighborhood families.

For a fifth year and just in time for the holidays, the Center Table Fall Harvest Thanksgiving food distribution event will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center (1800 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas, TX 75216). Additionally, meal boxes will be delivered to older adults living in the neighborhood as well as a nearby high school and recreation center. In total, the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center team will deliver approximately 1,300 food boxes and turkeys, providing meals for more than 5,000 people.

HEB is the lead sponsor. Center Table Fall Harvest is also presented by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, The Heroes Foundation, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and NFM, in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank.

Free and open to the public, the drive-through event is geared toward people who reside in the surrounding neighborhoods of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center including Oak Cliff and southern Dallas County. Pre-registration is NOT required.Food boxes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Food insecurity is still an issue, especially with inflation continuing, childcare costs rising and student loan payments resuming – it’s a tough time,” said Trina Terrell Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. “The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center and our partners hope that this gesture helps as families and friends come together for Thanksgiving.”

The Thanksgiving meals, serving 4-6 people, will include a whole turkey or two whole chickens, three sides, two cans of cranberry sauce, dessert and a one-gallon drink or case of water along with containers to warm the food in the microwave or oven. This year, the boxes will also include snacks and three additional meals.

“With children being home from school during the holiday break, we’re especially grateful to HEB for generously supplementing our event with extra food items this year,” added Scott Tomlin, director of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation who recruited HEB to join the Center Table initiative.

Members from Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety will volunteer to distribute the meals. Entertainment will be provided by The Guitar Slayer, Infinite Arts Movement and Ollimpaxqui Ballet Co. In addition, artists from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture will be on hand.

In addition, as part of Center Table Fall Harvest, specially catered meals will be delivered to a pre-selected group of older adults in the Center’s surrounding neighborhoods prior to Thanksgiving week. Additional meal boxes and turkeys will be distributed through a special distribution at Dallas ISD’s Roosevelt High School and Kiest Park Recreation Center.

Center Table launched in May 2020 to address the difficult times many families have faced since the onset of the pandemic. Since then, Center Table events have provided more than 32,000 meals and 2 million pounds of food to families and households.

For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org, call 214-379-7451 or email heroesactivities@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE MARK CUBAN HEROES BASKETBALL CENTER.The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is a multi-purpose facility for neighborhood youth and families providing sports and leadership programs. The Center expanded its services to address the critical needs arising during the pandemic related to food insecurity, including the distribution of afterschool snacks, meals and food boxes to neighborhood families.

Courtesy of WellMed, Optum, USMD and Healthcare Associates of Texas

As the holidays approach, and the season’s expectations and demands draw near, it is not uncommon for some, especially older adults, to catch a case of the “holiday blues.” But it’s important to know when it’s more than just the “blues” and how other conditions, like diabetes, can be linked with depression. November is National Diabetes Awareness month, an ideal opportunity to learn how diabetes and depression can go hand in hand.

Diabetes remains prevalent among older adults. The American Diabetes Association reports that people with diabetes have a higher rate of depression than the general population. Additionally, older adults can also be more susceptible to depression because of increased loneliness associated with being socially isolated from others.

While depression affects everyone differently, recognizing its signs is a positive step toward managing your mental health right along with your physical health. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that some of the common symptoms of depression to look out for include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, waking early in the morning, or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Disclaimer: If you or someone you know have thoughts about suicide, seek help right away. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 — or go to the closest emergency room.

To reach a trained crisis counselor, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273- 8255). You may also chat at 988.lifeline.org.

If you experience any of these symptoms for two weeks or more or if your symptoms are severe, be sure to seek medical attention. There are multiple options for the treatment of depression. The sooner help is sought, the more effective the treatment.

The holidays can be a stressful time. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of depression and talk to your doctor to find out more about the links between diabetes and depression so you can take the necessary steps toward healthy living. 

Resources:
Mental Health | ADA (diabetes.org)
Diabetes in Older People | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
Are You Experiencing Depression? | ADA (diabetes.org)
Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness | Social Connection | CDC
NIMH » Depression (nih.gov)